Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has heaped praise on Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe.
The Hale End graduate broke onto the scene last winter, starting the Gunners' 3-1 win over Chelsea on Boxing Day before nailing down a place in Mikel Arteta's side for the remainder of the season.
The 20-year-old eventually finished the season with four goals and eight assists across all competitions, an impressive feat considering he barely played any games before Christmas.
Smith Rowe's consistent displays were then awarded by the north London club, who handed him a new long-term contract alongside a number change that saw him inherit the famous No.10 jersey that had previously been owned by German playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Ozil himself has previously sung Smith Rowe's praises after the Englishman scored his first goal in an Arsenal shirt back in January.
The Fenerbahce midfielder tweeted: "He made the difference in the last couple of games as a No 10. Really happy for him… and that he showed that playing with a No 10 still can make sense in today’s football."
Now, Carragher has echoed Ozil's comments, naming Smith Rowe as his pick to win young player of the season this term.
“I’m a massive fan. I loved watching him last season and I think he’s been outstanding, even though Arsenal have made such a poor start to the season", he told Sky Sports.
"He was arguably the best player on the pitch at Brentford, even some of his touches against Chelsea. The way he moves with the ball, very rarely do I see any player who can receive the ball on their back foot on both sides. I’m a huge fan of his.”
